Queen / Hungarian Rhapsody Blu-ray / DVD / CD Deluxe Editions

Queen will release a concert film Hungarian Rhapsody – Live In Budapest on 5 November.

Originally filmed in 1986 as part of the Magic Tour, Hungarian Rhapsody has been re-mastered in high definition and presented in 5.1 surround sound. There are a multitude of configurations, including standalone DVD and standalone Blu-ray, as well as a 2CD/DVD Deluxe Edition and a 2CD/Blu-ray Deluxe Edition.
A bonus feature on the DVD and Blu-ray is a new 25 minute documentary feature entitled A Magic Year. This follows Queen from just after their show–stealing performance at Live Aid on 13 July 1985, through the year leading up to the concert in Budapest. The documentary will use archive footage from rehearsals, interviews with the band in the studio and on the road during the Magic Tour, some of which has never been seen before.

I agree on the 70’s material which I have in good sound quality on various files/CD’s but where is the Pre-order anywhere for the CD’s? No one has the pre-order for the combos, only a Blue Ray or DVD.!!!!???

I understand that having the Budapest show in 5.1 is a draw for some, but with Montreal and MK Bowl already out there, and Wembley being, in essence, exactly the same as Budapest, it would have been nice for the real fans to get something and, for most, that means the ’70s stuff. Hammersmith, Earls Court, Houston, even Hyde Park is supposed to be in some kind of releasable condition. I understand that they’re going for the widest audience, and that means things that are recognisable to the average Asda/Tesco punter, but it seems to be consistently to the dismay of “real” fans. The singles box sets were hugely overpriced, poorly packaged and lacking many key tracks. The Island “deluxe” reissues were, despite the awesome remastering job by Bob Ludwig, woeful in terms of the bonus content. The Deep Cuts comps were pretty pedestrian, with many fans bemoaning the fact that they couldn’t even include standalone versions of “Flick Of The Wrist” and “Tenement Funster”, or the single edit of “Liar”. There’s an arrogance to what May and Taylor are doing with the band’s legacy and it’s not going unnoticed, with many “real” fans deserting the official Queen forum in droves, fed up of being overlooked in favour of the fairweather. “Hungarian Rhapsody” (horrible title, by the way) is yet another example of this. My opinion, of course, but not one that should mark me out as someone who isn’t a “real” fan.

You get the feeling now that they want everything to be 5.1 audio and Blu-ray for release purposes. Maybe in their eyes if that can’t do that then they don’t consider it a commercial proposition. I’m not a massive Queen fan, but I find a lot of that Seventies footage fascinating and would love to see a whole concert released.

Well said! Have to say on the other review, that if there was ever a song to miss out half off. It would be Crazy little thing called love. Massive fan but that is not their best, lets say. Queen fans over the years have been ripped off big style. I am disappointed as I spent thousands of pounds on them until, Freddie died and going to solo concerts after.

Paul and Joe, I agree with both of you. Essential to have Queen in the best format possible…..yet as another massive lifelong fan, I’m frustrated by some of these releases, and the repeated denial for fans of good 70’s era video. We know it’s out there….Hammersmith, Earls Court etc, so why isn’t it being prepared and presented? I will buy this one (to make up for the stupid decision not to release the Wembley 86 gig on Blu-ray in the deluxe edition at least), but my patience is running out. Give us the the 70s’, give us four talented men belting out their incredible music…with ‘no synthesisers’, no stadiums and no holds barred.

Inessential my backside!! Essential Purchase! 5.1 Blu Ray! Get real Paul, if you were a massive Queen you would be salivating at the opportunity to experience this. I do take your point on Hammersmith ’75 though.

Yawn! Yet another ’80s gig. And an almost identical set list to the Wembley album. Queen fans are crying out for some ’70s lives so why this? Apparently, the Hammersmith Christmas ’75 show was readied for a DVD release years ago but disappeared without trace. Inessential, and I’m a massive Queen fan.